Social networks in China: A thematic review of guanxi scholarship in the past decade

This paper is a thematic review of the theoretical analysis and empirical research carried out by sociologists about guanxi networks in the past decade. Among other topics of sociological interest, the authors have chosen to focus on five aspects of guanxi networks in China: diverse theoretical approaches, changing trends, causal inference, positive and negative effects, and relationally altered social stratification. In each of these aspects, the authors synthesize the main points and conclusions of both Chinese- and English-language publications, while providing a concise discussion on the directions of future research of sociological significance and highlighting potential avenues for further exploration in the field.